December 8, 2015: JEFF RUSSO (Fargo TV Series)
Jeff Russo, composer of the Fargo FX television miniseries, guests on Morricone Island a few days before the December 14th second season finale. Many Coen Bros. fans were skeptical of the Noah Hawley-created series "inspired" by the 1996 film, but the pilot quickly allayed any fears. The show is scored more like a dramatic film than your typical TV series and the score pays homage, without copying, Carter Burwell's iconic main theme incorporating similar Scandinavian instrumentation and influence. Although Jeff found early success in the 90s with his L.A. rock band Tonic, it was Wendy Melvoin (one half of Prince duo Wendy & Lisa and close friend of Jeff's wife Nina Gordon of Veruca Salt) who introduced him to the world of scoring by referring him as a guitarist on a scoring session. Wendy & Lisa Coleman, film and tv composers since the 90's, shortly thereafter hired Jeff as their assistant.